Lahat ng Kabanata ng Unbound Desires: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 75

SOFIEThe ER room was too bright. Too cold. Too loud. Too much.I sat beside Claire, trying to hold still, but my leg wouldn’t stop bouncing. Fluorescent light glared off white walls, making everything feel sharper, air itself edged with tension. Claire’s hand gripped mine like a lifeline. Her cheek glowed in deep purple, and her right hand swelled twice its normal size.But somehow, she smiled through it.That Claire kind of smile. Brave. Stubborn. Stupidly strong.“Why did you step in?” My voice cracked. “You didn’t have to do that.”She squeezed my fingers gently. “I wasn’t going to let that asshole hit you. Besides,” she added with a shrug, “I can take a hit.”That broke me.Tears burned down my face, hot and relentless. “But you’re hurt because of me.”“Hey.” Her tone firmed. “I love you, SoSo. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”Before I could respond, the doors burst open. Alex and Stephen rushed in, eyes wild and searching.Everything after that blurred.Too fast. Too loud. Too m

ALEXThe next morning, I sat behind my desk, fingers tapping against the glass in a rhythm that did nothing to soothe the pressure coiling in my chest. Stephen stood across from me, hands in his pockets, concern written all over his face.“How’s Claire?” I asked, leaning forward, my voice lower than usual, strained with the worry I hadn’t let myself show the night before.“She’s holding up,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Bruised cheek, sprained hand. She’s strong, but... there’s still fear in her eyes.”I nodded, jaw tight.The air between us thickened, the conversation shifting from personal to business. I adjusted, my tone hardening.“I need the full scope. What are we looking at in terms of charges against Andrew?”Stephen pulled a folded document from the file tucked beneath his arm and laid it on my desk.“Multiple charges: assault, harassment, public endangerment. If he’s convicted on all counts, he’s looking at serious jail time. The fines won’t be small either. Bail’s

SOFIEA sharp, primal pressure built inside me."I need to push now!" I cried, panic threading through my voice.The nurse burst through the door, her movements fast but calm. She checked between my legs with practiced efficiency."Okay, you’re fully dilated. It’s time to start pushing. Dr. Thompson is on her way."I could barely nod. My body had already taken over.Two hours blurred into a haze of pain, sweat, and effort. My fingers crushed Alex’s hand as I bore down, my whole being straining against the pain."I can’t," I gasped, tears streaming down my temples, my hair plastered to my face, every muscle shaking."Yes, you can," Alex said firmly, his voice steady, the only anchor in the room. "You’re the strongest person I know. You can do this."Dr. Thompson appeared at the foot of the bed like a calm in the storm."Alright, Sofie, let’s meet your baby," she said gently.I clenched my jaw, gathered every last ounce of strength, and pushed one final time.A blinding wave of sensation